Nice ace Gouiri matches Benzema's Ligue 1 record

11:09pm on Friday 26th February 2021
By Robin Bairner

Nice striker Amine Gouiri has been one of the standout figures for his side in what has been a disappointing campaign and equalled a record set by Karim Benzema in 2009.

When Gouiri converted from the penalty spot against Rennes, he became the youngest players from Lyon’s famed academy to score 10+ goals in a single Ligue 1 campaign since the Real Madrid forward achieved the feat in 2008/09.

Later, he would grab the assist that secured a 2-1 win to push his side clear of the relegation zone.

Gouiri is 21 and 10 days old, while Benzema was 21 and 1 day old when he completed the achievement.

[header: Amine Gouiri v Rennes]

{Statistic}{Value}{Notes}

{FC Rating}{7.7}{Man of the Match}

{Mins Played}{90}{}

{Goals}{1}{}

{Assists}{1}{}

{Shots}{5}{Rank #1}

{Touches in the box}{6}{Rank #3}

{Aerial duel/won}{6/4}{Rank #1}

What is arguably most impressive about Gouiri’s feat, though, is that he has not even been used primarily as a centre-forward. Instead, he is an inverted winger, who has thrived running directly at opponents and cutting in off the right flank.

Furthermore, the attacker is coming off the back of a serious injury that prevented him from making a significant breakthrough at Parc OL.

With a 78 FC Rating, he is already one of the outstanding players in the Nice side, surpassing on-loan Arsenal centre-back William Saliba comfortably and equalling former Manchester United midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin.

Amine Gouiri: Player Statistics, Career Stats and Position

While Schneiderlin’s form has been poor this term, though, Gouiri has excelled, even amidst a struggling team.

Before Friday’s draw, he posted a goal contribution per 90 of 0.56, which was sufficient to place him in Ligue 1’s top 20 of players who had spent at least 1000 minutes on the field. That figure has obviously been enhanced significantly thanks to his goal and assist in Rennes.

Similarly, he is in the top 20 for both shots per 90 and shots on target per 90, boasting a healthy 42% accuracy when he does go for goal.

Gouiri is clearly a very different player from Benzema, but like his fellow Lyon academy graduate, who has spent a decade at Real Madrid, he has the potential to enjoy a very fine career.